Staff Accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

By Chris Schmidt, Public Affairs Representative | Tuesday, September 09, 2014 11:07 AM

UIL staff participates in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Photo by Brooke Rousch, UIL staff

Challenge accepted.

During the summer the UIL joined more than 28 million people that have participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The cultural phenomenon, which involves donating $100 to charity or dumping a bucket of ice water on your head and donating only $10, has helped raise more than $100 million for the ALS Association.

UIL staff was challenged by several individuals and organizations and answered the call by donating to ALS research in addition to making their own ice bucket challenge video. Several UIL staff members participated in the video, which can be seen on the UIL YouTube page (www.youtube.com/uiltexas).

Before taking the plunge, staff members invited others to participate in the challenge, including James Weaver (South Dakota High School Activities Association), Rick Sherley (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches), Mike Fitch (Texas Association of Sports Officials), Rusty Dowling (Texas High School Athletic Directors Association), John Black (National Federation of State High School Associations), Sam Tipton (Texas Girls Coaches Association), D.W. Rutledge and Joe Martin (Texas High School Coaches Association).

Though the origins of the ice bucket challenge are unclear, the campaign has been successful for the ALS Association. As of August 29, the Association has received $100.9 million in donations compared to $2.8 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 29).

The ALS Association’s mission includes providing care services to assist people with ALS and their families through a network of chapters working in communities across the nation and a global research program focused on the discovery of treatments and eventually a cure for the disease.